The University of Montana will celebrate its 119th commencement on Saturday, with featured speaker, Oscar award winning actor and UM graduate, J.K. Simmons.

UM Vice President for Integrated Communications, Peggy Kuhr, said Simmons will also be receiving a special award at the event.

"In addition to delivering the commencement address, Simmons will also be receiving an honorary doctorate," Kuhr said. "We have two honorary doctorate recipients on Saturday. The other goes to former head of the U.S. Forest Service, Jack Ward Thomas."

Kuhr said the commencement exercise will be held inside Washington Grizzly Stadium, rain or shine, which will open at 8 a.m. for early seating. The procession into the stadium will begin at 9:20 a.m. with the ceremony scheduled to start at 10 a.m.

Kuhr said the festivities, including Simmons's address, will be streamed live at this address.

Kuhr said parking will be difficult on campus with thousands of students, families and guests in Missoula.

"We tell people to use the Park and Rides and there will be several areas around town where people can park their vehicles and catch a rise to the campus," Kuhr said. "People will be coming on to the campus as early as 7:00 a.m. or 7:30 a.m., so expect large crowds all over campus."